Fluid-level regulator



Sept,V 9 1924.

E. C. HUTCHINSON FLUID LEVEL REGULATOR Filed May 10'. 1922 I ,a www 1 15917919 zi on l', Tnze/1 225071, v

Patented Sept. 9, 1924.

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T N OFFICE. g

ELY C. HUTCHINSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 IIIEILTON-l WATER l WHEEL CO., OF SAN FRANCISCO', CALIFORNIA, A. CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

, FLUID-LEVEL REGULATOR.

4appncauon inea May 1o, 1922. serial No. 559,904.

To aZZ wiz-.0m 'it may concern Be it known that I, ELY C. HUTCHINSQN,

a citizen' of the United States, residing ati Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid- Level Regulators, of which'the following is receptacle, maintaining the fluid within thev receptacle between maximum and minimum predetermined levels.`

The invention consists primarily in a fluid supply line leading from the sump or fluid supply and within which is mounted a continuously operated pump for forcing the fluid under pressure through either of two branches of the line, one connecting with a receptacle and the other returning Atothe sump, the feed of the fluid to the receptacle being controlled by the operation of an unloader valve in the return branch, which closes against the pump pressure and is vented to operate by both the pressure and level of the fluid within the receptacle.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view,. the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofconstruction within thescope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invent-ion. Y l

To more clearly comprehend the invention, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 indicates a diagrammatic view of '9 'an assembly, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the fluid level and pressure valve within the receptac e. 1

Fig.y 3 is a vertical sectional view of the unloader valve. i y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein lile characters of reference designate ycorresponding parts-1 indicates a suitable fluid storage reservoir provided with an opening 2 which is closed by a valve head or cover 3 detachably secured to a ring 3 permanently mounted in the opening 2.

Fluid is supplied to the receptacle' 1, through a fluid supply pipe 4 by a pump 4 which draws the fluid from a sum 42.

This supply pipe4 branches as at 5 and 52, i

branch 5 returning to the sump 4FV and the branch 52 connectingwith the receptacle 1 through a check valve 5. l

In the return branch 5 is mounted an un-,

loader valve casing, the inlet end 7 of the` i channel 7 therein receiving by-passed fluid, and the outlet endf 8 continuing the fluid through the branch 5 to the sump 42.

Within the casing 6, closing against the,

pressure entering the inlet opening 7 is a reciprocating'. unloader valve' 9, pointed at its end, as at 10, andadapted to move up and down within a guide chamber r12. The up n per end of the casing 6 is formed with a chamber 13 and is closed by a head 14.

Within the chamber operates ,thefpiston 15 carried by the upper end of the valvel and of a diameter corresponding to'thatof the chamber 13. A vent 13 connectsfthe lower end of the chamber 13 with thel outlet .i

8 and a pipe 16V connects the upper end of' the chamber with the interior of the receptacle 1, through the channel 17, inthe head 3 which channel connects at one end with a bore 18 opening at one endinto the interior of the receptacle 1. The bore isbushed vas at 19 and within the bore reciprocates a piston 20 on the end of the reduced end 21 of which is formed a valve 22 adapted'to close the open end of the bore andl to move across the end vof the channel 17. A second bore 23 is formed in the head 3, the same openinginto the interior of the receptacle 1 and said bore is bushed, as at 24, and within said bushing operates a reciprocating valve 25v guided at its outer end, as at 26, and operated through Y'drawing off of fluid through an the bell crankl connection 27, to the end of which is connected a float 23 adapted to raise and lower with the fluid level within the receptacle l.

The valve 25 is formed between its ends with a reduced portion 29 of a suflicient length to afl'ord a communication between the channel 30, connecting bores 18 and 23, and a channel 31 leading from bore 23 and connecting with the rear end-of channel 18. The reduced portion 29 is also of a length so that when the valve 25 is moved to close 'the channel 30, said reduced portion will afford a communication between the channel 3l and a fluid inlet channel 32, connecting the bore 23 with the interior of the receptacle l.

ln line with the channel 30 is a vent channel 33 connecting with a pipe 34, which leads to the sump 42.

The device being assembled as in the drawings and assuming that the fluid level within the recptacle is at its minimum, due to the outlet, not shown, the various parts operate in the following manner in the supplying of fluid to the receptacle 1 from the sump l2 by the continuously operated pump et.

The lowering of the fluid level within the receptacle causes a corresponding dropping of the float 28 which through its bell crank 27 moves the valve 25 inwardly causing the reduced portion 29 thereof to provide a connection between ports 31 and 33, releasing the pressure in rear of the piston 20` and the portion 22 of the valve 21 being open to the fluid pressure within the receptacle l, said yvalve -21 is moved inwardly, affording a fluid pressure within vthe channel 17,`which pressure builds up in chamber' 13 of the unloader valve and acts against the piston 15 thereof. The continuous operation of the pump 4, during this period of closing of the unloadervalve, causes a continuous supplying of fluid through the pipe 4, branch 52 and check valve 5 into the container or receptacle 1, The fluid level as it rises in the container 1 causes a corresponding upward "movement of the float 23 and on attaining its upper level the action of the bell crank 2"? will cause an outward movement of the valve 25, closing port 33 and opening the connection between ports 31 and 32, which permits of the receptacle fluid pressure entering the port 32 to pass tov port 31 and act on the rear of piston 20, forcing the valve 21 outwardly, closing the communication of 'the end of channel 17 with the interior of the receptacle or container, and opening it to discharge oil from cylinder 13 through the port 3() into channel 33 and outwardly around the valve 25 through the annular passage surrounding same. This enables the pump pressure act- "ing against the tapered end 10 of the unloader' valve 9 to raise the valve and pass through the casing v6, discharging into the incense sump 42 through the outlet 8, thus a continuous circulation through the pump and un loader valve is maintained.

From the above description it should be noted that the level of the liquid may be regulated within the receptacle to prevent liquid from reaching or contacting with the receptacle carried controlling valve for the unloader, for insuring the operation of the unloader valve by vaporous or gaseous receptacle pressure, the liquid level being adapted for operating and controlling the admission of vapor to said valve. The unloader valve is independent of the receptacle and adapted to be mounted in any position relative thereto without regard to the liquid level of the receptacle.- lhe controlling valves operate at any two predetermined levels of liquid in the receptacle which should be obvious to one skilled in the art from the description and showing thereof in the drawings.

l claim:-

l. ln combination with a receptacle for receiving the supply of fluid, a source of fluid supply, a fluid conveying line leading therefrom, said line branching to connect through one branch with the receptacle and through another branch a'ording a return to said source of supply, a pump within said fluid conveying line, an unloader valve within the branch line returning to the source of supply and closing against the pump pressure, a check valve within said other branch line, a fluid pressureconnection between the receptacle and one side of said unloader valve, a valve operated by the reAw ceptacle fluid pressure and controlling the admission of pressure into or the release of pressure from said connection, and a master valve operated by the level of the fluid in said receptacle for controlling the operation of said first valve.

2. ln combination with a receptacle for receiving a supply of fluid, a source of fluid supply, a Huid feed line leading therefrom and connecting with the receptacle, a pump therein for removing fluid from the source of supply and transmitting the same to the receptacle, a check valve interposed between the pump and the receptacle, a fluid return connection leading from said line between the pump and check valve and returning to said source of fluid supply, an unloader valve for controlling the passage of fluid through said return connection, a valve controlled fluid connection between said recep tacle and one side of said unloader valve, whereby the receptacle pressure maintains said valve normally closed, a pressure release port and a master valve operated by a variation of fluid level within the receptacle for admitting receptacle fluid pressure to said first valve for the operation thereof, said valves adapted to be so positioned when said receptacle is supplied with fluid to afford a connection bet-Ween said connection between the unloader valve and receptacle and said pressure release port, whereby pressure is released from said unloader valve and the fluid pumped is returned to the source of supply.

3. A device of the class described, including a receptacle for containing fluid of liquid and gaseous nature under pressure, a liquid supply for the receptacle, a main feed pipe leading from the liquid supply, a pump for continuously circulating liquid in said pipe, a branch feed pipe connecting the main feed pipe with the receptacle having a check valve therein, a return pipe from said main feed pipe to the liquid supply, an unloader valve in said return pipe mounted independent of -gaseous and vaporous fluid under pressure,

a liquid supply for the receptacle, a main feed pipe leading from the liquid supply, a pump for continuously circulating liquid in said pipe, a branch feed pipe connecting the main feed pipe with the receptacle having a check valve therein, a return pipe from said main feed pipe to the liquid supply, an unloader valve in said return pipe, and a controlling unit mounted in the receptacle having a vaporous and gaseous pressure actuated valve controlling the admission of and exhaust of fluid pressure from said unloader valve, and float-operated mea-ns'controlled through the liquid level in the receptacle for governing the operation of the unit carried valve by fluid pressure.

5. A control device for governing the admission, of Huid. to a receptacle containing fluid under pressure, comprising a. body mounted in the receptacle having a passage conni'iunicating with means the operation ot which effects the control and feed of fluid to the receptacle, said body being formed with a. pair of valve chambers, a fluid pressure operated valve in one of said chambers kfor controlling the first mentioned passage ELY C. HUTCHINSON. 

